ROPE ADJUSTMENT DEVICES
Rope adjustment device for safety lines
Type A (Guided type fall arresters/ Back-up devices)
Rope adjustment device for a safety line which reflects users’ ch-anges of position and/or allows adjustments on the safety line and automatically locks to the safety line when a static or dynamic load is applied (in the event of a fall for example).
Ascending device for working lines
Type B (Ascenders)
Manually-operated rope adjustment device which, when attached to a working line, locks under load in one direction and slides freely in the opposite direction.
Descending device for working lines
Type C (Descenders)
Manually-operated, friction-based rope-adjustment device, which allows users to achieve a controlled descent and controlled positioning to stop at a particular point without having to hold on with their hands.
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Static strength test (A, B, C)
Type A rope adjustment devices must withstand a force of 15 kN on an anchorage line for 3 minutes.
Type B devices: 4 kN; Type C devices: 12 kN
Locking (A, B, C)
The rope adjustment device is attached and suspended 1000 mm from the anchor point.
A test mass of 5 kg is attached by a connector or lanyard and connector, 400 mm maximum, to the attachment point on the rope adjustment device.
The test mass is raised and then dropped. The rope adjustment device must lock and remain locked.
Minimum working strength test (A, B, C)
The rope adjustment device is suspended on the anchor line 300 mm below the anchor point.
The rope adjustment device is locked. A force of 1 kN is applied and then increased to force F as required in each case
- for type A: rated load +1 kN
- for type B: 4 kN;
- for type C: 3 kN;
- for type C with panic locking element: 3 kN with an ope-rating force of 450 N on the lever.
The force is maintained for 3 minutes.
Measurements are carried out to test how far the anchorage line slips.
Visual inspection according to type:
- for type A: <100 mm slippage;
- for type B: <100 mm slippage;
- for type C: <300 mm slippage.
Samples of all classes must withstand loads without any sign of damage.
Dynamic test type A
The rope adjustment device is attached to an anchor line 1000 mm below the force measuring device.
A test mass of at least 100 kg nominal load is attached by a connecting element and raised to twice the length of the lanyard.
The test mass is released and the peak force measured.
The max. braking force must not exceed 6 kN. The braking distance must not exceed 2000 mm.
Dynamic test and capacity reserves (A, B, C)
The rope adjustment device is attached to an anchor line 1000 mm below the anchor point. The max. rated load or at least 100 kg is raised by 2000 mm.
The test mass is dropped. The rope adjustment device may not release the anchor line and the braking distance may not exceed 2000 mm.
Following the dynamic test, the test mass is increased without any shock applied 3 kN.The device must withstand the mass for 3 minutes.
Descent velocity type C
The maximum descent velocity is tested using a 50 m rope (narrowest and thickest specified on the device). The ropes are pulled twice through the rope adjustment device and then left in the device for 30 seconds.
After testing, the condition of the rope and the device is checked. Operating elements must not get hotter than 48° C.
The rope must show no signs of melting or burning.
The following compulsory information is supplied by the manufacturer on the product:
- Manufacturer
- EN 12841
- Model designation
- Batch number
- Year manufactured
- Minimum and maximum diameter of the rope(s) in mm
- Reference to user manual
- Type of rope adjustment device (A, B, C, A/B, A/C, B/C)
- Diameter of anchor line
- Max. rated load
- Type of anchor line to use
– EN 1891, type A
– other types or other designs - Details of correct orientation for normal use
- CE mark with 4-digit identification number